Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1887-12-22

Romantio History of the Head Of ~ Afis-
tocratlo Austrian Family.

Pew persons are aware that until
short time ago the natural history coli
lection in the Imporisl Phace at Vien-
ma included among its most rennarIk-
able curiositios the stuffed hide OF =
human being. The recent discussion
conc6rnlng the card-cases manufacture
cd A. Paris Of the murderer Pranzinrs
skin has recalled attention 10 the fact,
and to the romantic history OF Ghe man
tsh6 Has so long figured In the Austrian
Emperor's private museum The name
Of the original owner Of the hide was
Angelo Soliman. who. notwithstanding
tho fact that he was coal-black negro
from the Soudancse tribe Of the Gallas,
was nevertheless the ancestor and
grandfather Of several Of the most
noted members Of the Vienncse aristo-
cracy. One Of his grandsons is the Baron
Ernst Won Feuchtersleben, who held
Cabinet office for several years rs lm-
pcIial Minister Of the Public Worship
Department. Another Of his grand
sons, the Baron Edouard Won Feuchtcr-
slcben, is n celebrated author and poet,
while several OF his groat-grandsons
hold rank in the Imperial diplomatic
and military service. Two days week
until quite latoly these members Of the
Austrian nobility Ind the extraordinary
privilege Of being able to visit their
stuffed ancestor, who. seated on an
armchair with his perfectly preserved
features and staring glass eyes, pre-
sented most lifelike and uncanny ap-
pearancc.
The history Of Angelo Soliman Is as
follows; In the year Of l740 Prince
Lobkowitz, one Of the principal Cen
erals in the Imperial Austrian army,
happened, while visiting the City Of
Messina, in Sicily. TO have his atten-
ton drawn TO little soven-year-old
negro boy who was acting rs page to
one Of the noble ladies OF the place.
The child was asserted to bc the of
spring Of native King and was said
To have been kidnapped from his home
and sold rs n slave Mt Cairo. BY some
means or other he had come into the
hands Of n sea captain trading between
Alexandria and Sicily, who had
brought him TO Messina aud presented
him to the lady in question. The lat
ter had caused him to be baptized by
the name of Angelo Soliman. Prince
Lobkow'tz took great fancy to the
boy. persuaded the lady to let him hive
the child. and took him into his service.
Angelo followed his new master every
where. was present with him through
out all the campaigns, and received a
most careful education. On the death
Of the General he entered the service
Of Prince Liechtenstcin as tutor Of the
lattor's children.
Angelo had become a remarkably
learned man. He spoke perfectly sew
eral languages-French, Italian, Ger
man, Latin and Czech. Although
Of small stature. he was wonderfully well
built, his features although as black aS
charcoal were Of Caucasian rather
than of an Ethiopian cast. and his hair.
beard aud mustache were silky and
curly. His manners were distinguished
by tho most eNquisit courtesy, and
dressed in his flowing Oriental robes
]
the most popular members of the best
Vienneso society Of the day. A noble
widow. the Baroness de Christiani, fell
deeply in love with him. and in due
time a marriage took place. For somo
reason or other Prince Liechtenstcin
viewed the union with disfavor and
quarrclcd with Angelo. who
thereupon left his service. He was.
however, very comfortably of for not
only was his wife wealthy. but he him
self had just short time before won
tho principal prize Of 10000 florins In
the Frankfort State Lottery. He pur-
chased pretty house and garden in
the suburbs Of Vienna. and lived thero
most happily with his wife. devoting
himself 10 the education Of his daugh-
ter, Josephine, the only issue OF tho
marriage. The young girl was one Of
the most fascinating and beautiful
types Of mulatto imaginable, and after
refusing large number Of offers at
length gave her hand in marriage to
one Of the imperial CounselOrs Of State,
the Baron Won Feuchtersleben, from
whom the present bearers Of the name
and title are descended in direct line.
Angelo. who before his death had be-
come rcconciled to the Lieehtenstcin
family, went over TO the great majority
IN 1896, being seyonty-liye years old at
| the time.
The Emperor. who had always shown
great fancy for Angelo. conceived
the peculiar idea Of preserving his old
friend. stuffed and in a glass case.
Strange to relate. Angeles family.
far from being offended. expressed
themselves highly hattered by the inn
perial request, aud Immediately con-
sented to surrender the remains Ia the
court taxidermists. After having cast
made Of his face and body by the fa-
nous sculptor. Franz Thaller. the skin
was carefully removed from the bcIdy,
| subjected 10 number Of chemical
preparations. and finally stuffed with
great care II Is only quite recently
that this somewhat uncanny object has
disappeared from the imperial collec-
tion. owing, II remember rightly, to
its having been almost destroyed by
the rats and mice. 60 YieHha C0r, ~ ].
World
1t is the general practice in Spain
to shoe horses without the application
Of heat aud very few shoeing-smiths
hup., halI,tvc ..,. F,.r.,.. Ia fIof..